Wirtz, Yamal, Palmer: 10 future football stars who made their mark this season

Every year, 'future stars' emerge in world football and the 2023/24 season was no exception, with a host of young talents making their mark.

Wirtz is Bayer Leverkusen's main man, the key to Xabi Alonso's invincible team. At the age of 21, the German is already one of the best players in the world, with a divine touch on the ball, complete vision of the game and exceptional passing ability.

Wirtz's superb season comes as no surprise, given the talent he showed in previous seasons, but his ability to recover is also impressive. According to Transfermarkt, he suffered damage to the inner ligament of his knee in March 2022, an injury that kept him out of action for six months.

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Wirtz is being courted by all of Europe's top clubs, and his future appears to be far from Leverkusen. However, the German has not yet expressed a desire to leave the German club and is expected to continue playing under Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen next season.

Cole Palmer is the Premier League's revelation of the year, having been bought by Chelsea from Manchester City for €47 million (£40.32 million / $51.10 million) last summer. Although his transfer was criticised by many Blues fans for being too expensive, the 22-year-old striker has silenced all the critics.

With more than 20 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League this season (Transfermarkt), he is one of the most decisive players in the Premier League. Finisher, creator, playmaker... Palmer knows how to do it all, and is up against Phil Foden for the title of best player in the Premier League.

At a time when Chelsea are rebuilding, he is a real source of joy for the Blues. The next step for Palmer will be the Euros with England, where he will once again come up against Foden.

It seems like Lamine Yamal has been around for years, yet the Catalan prodigy is enjoying his first season with Barcelona. At 16, the winger is (already) Barça's best attacking player. Fast, technical and intelligent, he has shown impressive maturity, both for club and country.

At 16, he is showing incredible talent. But to progress, the Spaniard must now perfect his finishing and be more decisive in front of goal. However, the strides he has made are impressive.

Despite a second half of the season that was complicated by injury, Warren Zaïre-Emery nonetheless enjoyed a top-class 2023/24 campaign. At the age of 18, the PSG midfielder led his side to the final phase of the Champions League, where he was decisive against Dortmund and Milan in the group stage.

Called up to the French national team by Didier Deschamps, he should be in the squad for the Euros. However, the youngster will need to take some time off, as he has looked tired since his injury in January and is struggling to get back to his best.

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Unknown at the start of the season, Kobbie Mainoo is now the leader of Manchester United's midfield. The 19-year-old Englishman has impressed this season and is a versatile player, contributing to both attack and defence, with impressive physical attributes.

Scorer of vital goals against Liverpool and Newcastle, Mainoo has taken on a new dimension for the Red Devils and, in the space of a season, has earned himself a starting berth. An indisputable starter in the United midfield, he could be the next face of the club.

When Pep Guardiola wants a player, he gets him... and turns him into a monster. Jérémy Doku arrived at City this summer from Rennes, and has enjoyed an exceptional first season in England.

Electric and lightning-quick, the Belgian is unstoppable and has terrorised PL defences this season. His exceptional performance against Bournemouth was a testament to that, with four assists and a goal. Doku seems to have changed since his transfer, with a more mature and precise game. The Guardiola effect?

Barcelona's Masia academy continues to produce immense talent. After Lamine Yamal, another nugget emerged from the academy this year: Pau Cubarsí. At just 17, he has established himself as a regular in the Catalan defence.

Very solid in the Champions League against Napoli and PSG, the young Spaniard displays a serenity and calm rarely seen in a central defender of his age. Already called up to the national team, he is Barça's future in his position.

Two years ago, Victor Boniface was playing for FK Bodø/Glimt in Norway. Today, he is one of Bayer Leverkusen's key players and has enjoyed a fantastic first season in Germany. The 23-year-old arrived last summer from Union Saint-Gilloise and has been racking up goals in the Bundesliga.

Competing with Patrik Schick, he was ruled out of action for two months with an unfortunate injury in January. However, he returned to full fitness to help his team remain unbeaten this season.

It's hard to talk of a revelation in this case. Xavi Simons has been a star on social media since he was a teenager, and dazzled the Bundesliga with his talent this year with RB Leipzig. Under contract with PSG, he has asked not to return to Paris, according to Mundo Deportivo.

After an impressive start to the season, Mathys Tel has slowed down somewhat. A replacement for Harry Kane at Bayern, the Frenchman has nonetheless managed to show his worth this season and, at 19, has a great future ahead of him.

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